Welcome To FWE News

FWE, Co., Inc. is a leading food service equipment manufacturer located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago and is a privately owned and operated by Deron Lichte.

FWE offers Low Temperature Cooking, Holding, Serving Equipment, Ovens, Rethermalizing Units, Utility Transports, Refrigeration and Portable Bars that are designed to improve operating efficiencies that continue to be more innovative and durable than others available on the market.

Designed for Point-of-Purchase (POP) at convenience stores and chain restaurants, these models are also perfect for “on-the-go” operations.

FWE’s latest advancement of Low Temperature Cook & Hold Oven (LCHR-1220-4) is sized perfectly for smaller volume operations or volume servers who require constant replenishment. It fits well in countertop use or built-in applications. Size, controls, construction and weight make this solution one of the easiest to operate and maintain.

This versatile and compact oven keeps product moist and juicy for greater yield while retaining more flavor. Once the cooking process is finished, the same LCHR oven can automatically switch into “holding mode” to keep products hot and delicious for hours.

As with all Food Warming Equipment, this compact Cook and Hold oven is built sturdy and is highly mobile. They are perfect solution for on-site or off-premise events and do not require a hood for ventilation.

Look details on additional FWE equipment that is designed to provide kitchen solutions for compact operations in upcoming months.

We are especially grateful to hear from our customers who work to make a positive impact in their community. That’s why, when we heard from our customers at The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan (FBEM), we jumped at the opportunity to see how our equipment was helping to feed thousands of children each day!

Executive Chef, Joe Gerlach

Behind the Scenes:

The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan was founded in 1981 and has grown to partner with more than 400 hunger relief agencies that serve the more than 300,000 hungry people in Eastern Michigan. FBEM Director of Culinary Services, Craig Brown turned to FWE for reliable kitchen equipment when their organization partnered with the Michigan Head Start Program.

As part of this new program, FBEM will be cooking and sending close to 3,000 meals to students across Eastern Michigan every day. They were searching for holding cabinets to not only keep the food warm, but healthy and favorable too!

RH-6 Commercial Retherm Oven

Problem and Solution:

Cooking and storing over 3,000 meals a day can be tricky – that’s where FWE came in! The situation at the FBEM presented a unique opportunity for our team because they required large bulk food retherming equipment that was both versatile and affordable. It also had to fit into their existing infrastructure – meaning, it had to be ventless.

With that in mind, we worked with Craig and his team to fit their facilities with nine FWE Retherm Ovens (model, RH-6). The versatility behind these ovens allows the schools to prepare hot meals in advance without having to purchase a hood, which because of the price, would have halted the entire program. FWE’s ventless cooking alternatives are the perfect option for those hoping to upgrade their equipment without overhauling their entire kitchen.

Above & Beyond:

We didn’t just set up our equipment and leave; we’re with our customer from start to finish! With assistance from Acosta’s Master Chef Kevin Gawronski and FBEM Chef Joe Gerlach, we helped develop a restructured menu that could be perfectly executed with the new FWE equipment. Since implementing our equipment and participating in the Michigan Head Start Program, Chef Joe has noticed their new FWE equipment was having other benefits outside of food quality alone:

“This food is not only feeding the children, they are using it as a learning tool for such things as manners and etiquette,” explained Chef Joe.

“Each student learns where and how to properly place their napkins, plates, forks, and spoons, before enjoying their family style lunch each day.”

NASCAR and Formula 1 fans know the importance of achieving pole position in any race. Along with that right, to be at the head of the pack, for all to see, and a leader that sets the pace for others to follow.

NAFEMis the leading trade association for the foodservice equipment and supply industry. They are the industry leaders, trendsetters and professionals. They are the creators of the Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP) certification program and, of course, the NAFEM Show itself. The NAFEM Show brings together the most influential and widest range of foodservice equipment and supply professionals on the planet where the latest in foodservice technology and solutions is featured for the ever-changing demands of the foodservice industry.

FWE has earned this premium position with over 60 years of experience in the industry, crafting solutions, successfully across a broad base of customers and markets. FWE has established itself as a leader in Heated Mobile Banquet Carts and Cabinets and continues to innovate and branch out into related territories including mobile bars and beverage carts, air screen mobile refrigeration, retherm ovens, cook & hold ovens, and a whole host of specialty solutions that others won’t touch. FWE recognizes the value of the special opportunities and custom requests which separates us from the rest.

Every year, over the course of four days, more than 1,800 suppliers and tens of thousands of buyers come together to make lasting connections that drive business profitability and shape the future of the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry.

Selected for this year’s WHAT’S HOT! WHAT’S COOL!® Check out the New CHSK-9, Cook and Hold Smoker (and taste the results). We will also have a few new products including our NEW and improved Chip Warmer. New products, improved products, new specs new Revit designs, Energy Star, NSF, UL and other compliance information and more…

If you are staying a day or so more, don’t forget the AIC on Saturday, Feb. 9 (between 7 – 10 p.m.) when Jimmy Buffet closes the event with a taste of Margaretville. This even is not sold out yet but I don’t expect it to be so very long. Book your table or seat asap.

The Illinois BBQ Alliance is…
a community of barbecue friends, part of a much larger community. A community in which people occasionally need the kind of help that a group of BBQ cooks is uniquely equipped to provide.

Helping to feed people In need…
when natural disasters strike. Large groups of people are often without food, water, or shelter for extended periods while cities and towns rebuild their infrastructures and families rebuild their lives. And while aid organizations exist to try to bring essential supplies, none may be as well-equipped to feed masses of people as a group of BBQers. With their catering trucks, mobile rigs, and cooking expertise, a small team of well-coordinated BBQers can feed tens of thousands of people in need.

We want to be there…
for communities and individuals in need of some help. Whether that is a warm meal or a smiling face, we believe that we can provide a little relief, help meet basic needs, and offer moral support wherever it is needed most.

Stop by Booth #4051 at the NRA Show to see what it takes to run your foodservice operation more efficiently, effectively, and profitably. FWE will have a representative sampling of their entire line on hand to demonstrate their capabilities in cooking, holding, transporting, refrigerating, and serving.

Among the featured products will be full size and half size Bulk Food Heated Holding Cabinets, the Clymate IQ Heated & Humidified Holding Cabinet, Heated Banquet Carts, Mobile Refrigerator/Freezers, NSF Portable Bars, and Machine Stands. FWE’s Pizza Holding Cabinets will also be featured at the show with attention getting graphic wraps (featured in photo) that are designed to market and sell pizza while it keeps food warm.

Low Temperature Cook & Hold (LCH) Ovensfrom FWE use radiant and gentle air circulation to provide the best possible food flavor without overcooking or dehydration. The end results are juicy meats that require no browning agents, vegetables that are rich in color and nutrition, breads, rolls, pies & cookies that brown evenly, and overall better food quality, taste, and appearance.

Designed to accommodate a variety of trays and pans, FWE’s LCH Ovensallow venting of humidity to adjust food moisture to specific conditions. These ovens automatically switch from cook mode to lower holding temperature as needed. An easy to operate control panel offers choice of cooking by product probe or time, and separate temperature displays for cook and hold modes. Quality all stainless steel welded construction, polyurethane casters, and heavy-duty door latches and hinges are featured on all 6 LCH Ovenmodels from FWE. Each oven also offers low energy usage, and lower associated labor costs.